Fitbit had me participate in a themed workout to see how the Versa holds up under real-life activity.

Fitbit wants to widen its smartwatch customer base, and on first glance the Versa looks like a step in the right direction.

But customisation is very much key to the Versa's offering, so it doesn't matter who you are or what your preferences, you can pair up the different coloured bodies with different straps.

The Versa shape is much more similar to Apple's smartwatch, with what the company describes as a "rounded square" touchscreen display.

"We've been panning our entry into smartwatches for a while", Fitbit CEO James Park told Mashable.

The device has a 1.34 inch LCD screen, 1000 nits brightness, 4 GB of storage and a 145 mAh battery, and lacks Global Positioning System, which should help it last longer than the Ionic.

Fitbit is introducing its first fitness band dedicated for kids ages eight and up. But I'm eager to try the new health-tracking features that will really set the Versa apart. Becker explained that numerous parts of the design that interact with your skin are curved and made to appear and feel softer. It also made a decision to go with what it calls a "squircle" design - yes, really- softening the hard edges of a square with rounded corners to make it feel more inviting. It will be sold in black with a black aluminum case, gray with a silver aluminum case, and peach with a rose gold aluminum case. There's also a special-edition Versa model priced at $229.95, which includes NFC and Fitbit Pay capabilities in the US and comes with an exclusive style, featuring woven bands in either lavender or charcoal coloration with either a rose gold aluminum or graphite aluminum case.

Fitbit itself will also offer bands. But just like the Ionic, you'll get space for 300 songs on the device, as well as the option of music apps that vary depending on your location.

Sammy Watkins to sign three-year deal with Chiefs
According to Ian Rapoport , an insider for NFL Network, the Chiefs will sign Sammy Watkins to a three-year deal. The Kansas City Star reported that Dallas, Jacksonville and Chicago were among the teams also pursuing Watkins.

When it comes to Fitbit Pay, the company's wearable payment service, the situation is a little. unusual.

Stay tuned for a full review of both once we get review units in. After copious requests from users, the company is adding period tracking to its app. Fitbit promises at least 4 days of battery life for what it says is "the lightest metal smartwatch in the US market". This health tracking feature will also be available for women who use the Fitbit Ionic or Fitbit app this spring.

So now you'll be able to record your menstrual cycle. That's the end of the social interactions, though - kids won't have access to the greater Fitbit community.

These software updates will debut on the new Versa, but will also be available for Ionic users via a software update.

For instance, it could recommend more sleep in the coming week because a bad period is on the way, or suggest easier ways to exercise if you're feeling too exhausted. The Ace will go on sale in Q2 2018, and can also be pre-ordered straight away from the Fitbit site.

Fitbit unveiled its second smartwatch  the Versa. Essentially, Fitbit has replicated the smartphone app's dashboard on your wrist. At 11.2mm thick, Fitbit says "it's the lightest all-metal smartwatch you'll find in the US". It runs the same software (Fitbit OS 2.0) as the Ionic, but costs $100 less. Melanie Chase says the closed nature of iOS doesn't allow them to offer the same functionality, but that it's looking at workarounds for specific apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

As the company notes in the accompanying press material, "According to a recent Fitbit survey, 80-percent of women did not know how many phases are in a menstrual cycle and more than 70% were unable to correctly identify the average length of a cycle, demonstrating a lack of awareness about women's health".

Comments

Latest Posts

President Trump fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
According to the Associated Press, Tillerson had returned from a shortened trip to Africa just hours before the announcement. Trump also had words of praise for Tillerson: "Finally, I want to thank Rex Tillerson for his service".

Patmore claims first Aussie medal at Games
North Korea had wanted to use a version of the Korean peninsula flag that includes islands disputed with Japan. After South Korean President Moon Jae-in declared the Games open, the Paralympic torch arrived at the stadium.

The Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) Announces Earnings Results
Brinker Capital Inc increased its stake in Metlife Inc (MET) by 26.6% based on its latest 2017Q3 regulatory filing with the SEC. After $0.39 actual EPS reported by The Coca-Cola Company for the previous quarter, Wall Street now forecasts 20.51% EPS growth.

Oil Pushes Higher, Despite Growing US Output
Last week's U.S.jobs data, as well as an easing of fears of a global trade war, boosted stocks across many parts of the world. Crude prices rose on Friday after the USA economy added the biggest number of jobs in more than 1-1/2 years in February.

Tite turns to new faces in latest Brazil squad
Midfielders: Casemiro, Willian, Fernandinho, Fred, Anderson Talisca, Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho, Renato Augusto. Brazil take on Russian Federation and Germany in the next few weeks in a crucially important worldwide break.

ATU Student Advances on American Idol
Naturally, this gets "I Kissed A Girl" singer Katy to sneakily plant one on the flabbergasted singer. With everything he's been through, he can use that pain to tell a story in his performances.

NCAA Tournament First: UCLA starting in Dayton vs Bonnies
He confirmed that Stockard is a game-time decision for the Bruins , but that the outlook was "more positive than negative". Bonaventure has made the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in program history and twice under Schmidt.